Marcus Whitman putting $29 million capital proposal to voters

Saturday

Dec 2, 2017 at 8:16 PMDec 2, 2017 at 10:55 PM

School officials say state aid is expected to cover most of the cost of the proposed capital projects.

GORHAM — Qualified voters in the Marcus Whitman Central School District (Gorham-Middlesex CSD) are being asked to vote Dec. 13 on a referendum for $29 million worth of improvements to buildings and grounds throughout the district.

Most of the money is expected to come through state aid, which has yet to be approved. District Superintendent Jeramy Clingerman, in an October letter to the community, included in the Capital Improvement Project brochure, said $2.3 million is available in reserves to put toward the project.

He said 92.5 percent — or $26.8 million — of the project is eligible for state aid at a rate of 71.8 percent — or $19.3 million, providing the state approves the plan. That leaves $7.4 million for taxpayers to fund. Clingerman said that amounts to approximately $72 per $100,000 of assessed taxable value, spread over 15 years, beginning in 2022 or 2023 when the project is expected to be completed.

Business Official Zoe Kolczynski said the figures are based on estimates available right now.

“It is an investment by the taxpayers,” she said. “I believe it is a positive investment for the district.”

Clingerman said exact figures will not be known until the proposal is approved by the State Education Department, providing voters approve going forward.

“The scope for the most part has been determined, but the specific detail and design will happen over the course of the next year,” he said, noting the district may be able to contribute more from reserves once the design is complete and figures are finalized.

The proposal is the result of the district's 2015 facilities study. By law, school districts are required to assess their facilities every five years to make sure they're providing suitable and adequate facilities to support their programs.

A lot of the work is equipment related, with upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; electrical upgrades; some door and window replacements; classroom and bathroom upgrades; asbestos abatement; and outdoor improvements including parking, paving and roof work.

“Some of these things are obviously necessary for safety, efficiencies and outdated equipment that needs to be updated,” said Clingerman.

Included is a vertical expansion of the gym with replacement of the rooftop HVAC system that will be enclosed to expand its life expectancy.

Clingerman said the third floor of the gym will have an elevated indoor track and include a weightroom and wrestling room.

The bulk of the work would be performed at the high school, middle school and the Finger Lakes Secondary School wing, which is part of Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

Highlights there include new tennis courts, two new soccer and lacrosse fields and a new concession stand with bathrooms and a storage facility at the high school. A new parking lot between the two fields would provide easier accessibility.

There will also be kitchen renovations and improvements of the band, chorus and art facilities and a renovated computer lab wing, along with an auditorium upgrade and revamped lobby and building entrance, including a new canopy and vestibule with a raised roof and skylights.

“Renovating that wing is necessary after 45 years to continue to grow and expand the programs,” Clingerman said, noting very few upgrades have been done since 1972 on that section of the school. “I'm excited about the opportunities that it's going to provide to our students, our staff and our community. There are a lot of common areas that are utilized by the community, as well, so I'm excited to have this level of facility.”

In addition, a new playground would be built at the Middlesex Valley Elementary School, along with sidewalks to the bus loop. About $800,000 worth of infrastructure work is proposed at the transportation center.

Clingerman said the district submitted its building condition survey to the state in spring 2016. The capital project proposal, in the works for months, was developed by the district's Buildings and Grounds Committee, along with the Board of Education, in defining the scope of needed work. Original estimates of about $45 million were pared down by saving some work for the next capital project or for some other point in the future.

For instance, Clingerman said the original assessment included putting light-emitting diode lighting throughout the district, but it was decided to include LED lighting with any new construction.

In addition, window replacements will be staggered. Clingerman said windows and exterior doors will be replaced at the high school. He said some recent projects at the primary school have included window replacements, which are being done in phases, like various roof portions.

The last major project in the district was in 2001 when the middle school was completed. Projects since have included updates and repairs to the HVAC system, roofing, plumbing, electrical, drainage, security enhancements and painting.

Clingerman said if approved, design work would proceed through 2018 with the district going out to bid sometime in the spring of 2019 and construction starting in late spring that year. It is estimated the work, which would be done in phases, will take two to two and a half years to complete.

Voting details

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Marcus Whitman High School gymnasium, 4100 Baldwin Road, Rushville.

To be eligible, voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and have lived in the school district for at least 30 days.

Absentee ballot applications must be received by the district clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or the day before the election if the ballot is to be personally delivered.

The only thing on the ballot will be the capital project resolution.

There will be a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, in Room 446 at the high school.

Marcus Whitman project at a glance

Gorham campus

Roof repair

Site work on west lot

New fire alarm system

Electrical upgrades

Select exterior doors replaced

Classroom upgrades (carpet, doors, cabinetry)

Toilet room upgrades

HVAC improvements

Asbestos abatement

Valley campus

Playground replacement

Kitchen renovation

Kindergarten wing roof replacement

Site work (paving, sidewalks, underdrains, parking lot lighting)

HVAC upgrades

Electrical upgrades

Exterior door and window work

Classroom upgrades (carpet, doors, cabinetry, sinks and bubblers)

Toilet room upgrades

Asbestos abatement

Middle/High School campus

Roofing repair and replacement

Exterior doors, windows and masonry improvements

Fire alarm upgrades

Direct digital controls (conversion to electric)

Clock and public address upgrades

New concession stand with toilet rooms

Site work (new tennis courts, parking lot upgrades, parking)

Toilet room upgrades

HVAC upgrades

Maintenance shop

Gym renovation/expansion (lobby/entry/locker area)

Music and art wing renovation

Kitchen/cafeteria renovation

Auditorium renovation

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.